PRACTICES

About

I am a consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon. I specialise in complex knee surgery, particularly for younger patients who may have been told that they have to "wait for a knee replacement".

I qualified in 2000 from Edinburgh University medical school. My surgical training was completed in Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle, before fellowship training in Cardiff and Hampshire.

I am the chairman of the United Kingdom Knee Osteotomy Registry (www.ukkor.co.uk) which is dedicated to improving outcomes for knee osteotomy patients.

I have authored several papers on knee surgery in particular regarding knee pain and osteotomies around the knee. I have spoken at many national and international conferences and Congress. My NHS practice is at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. I conduct private consultations from the Spire Hospital in Washington (November 2018 onwards).

Special Interests

My clinical practice focusses on knee surgery and general trauma presentations. I have a special interest in younger patients with knee problems, where I endeavour to offer biological (joint preserving) knee surgery rather than bionic (joint replacing) knee surgery if this is possible. To do this I have surgical strategies to correct for malalignment, ligament injuries, cartilage and meniscal deficiencies.

If you do need a knee replacement then it may be possible to have a partial knee replacement rather than a total knee, or may be possible to fit a custom-made total knee replacement for you. This is something to discuss at your initial consultation.

Education

Education:

2000 MBChB at University of Edinburgh

2004 MRCS Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

2013 FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Memberships:

AO - AO Trauma group

BKS - Biological Knee Society

BOA - British Orthopaedic Association

BOSTAA - British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma Arthroscopy Association

BASK - British Association for Surgery of the Knee (executive committee)

Reviews

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

Excellent experience regarding Mr Elson. All questions answered thourouly and any explanations that I needed were done brilliantly.
Looking forward to my next appointment with Mr Elson.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

20-11-2018

Mr Elson is a great surgeon and an even better person..very helpful and caring

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

20-11-2018

Fantastic surgeon , kept me informed throughout my surgery always willing to answer any questions I had made the whole process very understandable.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

26-10-2018

At age 59 arthritis in my left knee brought me to a sudden and painful halt. I simply couldn't walk. Which is something of a setback for a postman. There followed a lengthy (10 months) period of following the NHS processes of physio, antiinflammatory's MRI. During this period I became extremely anxious and depressed. I eventually got an audience with a surgeon who, extremely reluctantly, agreed to go ahead with an arthroscopy. After the operation he explained he hadn't "done too much" and there was nothing further he could do for my pain. Aparrently my arthritis was level 3 and wasn't deemed severe enough to replace the knee despite my crippling pain. I was desparate and pleaded with him for some help. It's fair to say we didn't really get on!! He said there was a procedure called an osteotomy which I MAY qualify for but he couldn't do it and was only available to a minority of candidates. He put me forward for it (thank goodness) and that's when things really changed for me.
Within 3 months I had my appointment with David Elson in Gateshead. WHAT a difference to my local surgeon! From the start David and his team gave me hope, with an extremely pragmatic approach to my situation. He was positive, upbeat, direct, and clearly understands his subject thoroughly and with such enthusiasm! He granted me the operation and explained what he was going to offer in plain, easy to follow language. His 'can-do' approach gave me renewed confidence. After the interview a date for the operation quickly followed. It went well, VERY well! I followed David's advice on post op recovery to the letter and 10 weeks later was back walking 10/15 miles per day......pretty much pain free!! I'm now coming up 61 and honestly believe I've been blessed to have been offered an osteotomy. It is no exaggeration to say David (and his staff) gave me my life back. Not only did he perform an osteotomy, but also did extensive work on regeneration of the cartilage. Amazing surgeon! Great guy!

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

25-10-2018

Very informative from start to finish. Happy to answer any questions. Gives realistic outcomes.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

24-10-2018

Thank you for seeing me so soon and for the excellent job you did on straightening my leg. I am looking forward to being back on my bike soon and will be grateful when I can do all the activities that I enjoy again.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

24-10-2018

Thank you, Mr Elson, for everything you have done. Take care

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

24-10-2018

Thank you for all your care and attention throughout my stay.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

24-10-2018

Thank you for doing such an amazing job of reconstructing my ACL. Especially for calming me down when I was nervous and being very helpful in explaining it all. I will never forget this - thank you so much

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

23-10-2018

Mr Elson has given me my life back can't thank him enough.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

23-10-2018

Always friendly, happy and confident in clinic. All staff willing to help and answer questions. The operation performed worked well. Every step was clearly explained. I would recommend this clinic to anyone.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

23-10-2018

Fantastic operation.has improved my life no end. No pain at all from arthritis.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

23-10-2018

Have been happy to be given every option and means possible to help attempt to improve the longevity of my knee from Doctor Elson and his team

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

22-10-2018

For Mr Elson and his team: Thank you for the care you gave me for my fractured leg.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

22-10-2018

Job well done, really chuffed with my knee replacement. Thank you so much.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

22-10-2018

I would like to thank you so much for my knee replacement. It was worth all the pain and everything else that went with it. At 10 weeks I have a new lease of life and you gave me matching scars just like I requested. I am very grateful to you and your team at the QEH.

BY A VERIFIED PATIENT

22-10-2018

Just to say, many many thanks for improving my mothers' quality of life - we are very grateful. The care she has received has been second to none. Very best wishes for the future.